Condenser for mixed vapors



De@ 23, 1930.. G. l.. KoTHNY 1,786,163

coNDENsER FOR MIXED vAPoRs Filed July e, 1925 5 sheets-sheet 2 232 1 V f Oo ge F laf/.6.3.

f Wye/vm? wm/Ess f Dec. z3, 1930. G. l.. KOTHNY 1,786,163

GONDENSER FOR MIXED VAPORS Filed July 6. i925 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 2.3, 1930 UNITED STATES GOTTDQANK L'. KOTHNY, OF STRAFFORD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 C. H. WHELER PATENT oFFIcEf MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION y OF' TENNSYLVANIA Application led July 6,

My invention relates to the condensai tion into liquids of a mixture of vapors fof different characteristics, and particularly of different temperatures of liquefaction at a given pressure.

In accordance with my invention, the condensation of such a vapor mixture is ef-v fected within a single condenser unit or shell, whereby there is effected economy in space, weight and cost as compared with systems utilizing separate condensers in which are condensed, respectively, the different vapors. By utilization of a single unit or shell, particularly when the condensation is to be effected under pressure other than atmospheric, as. at sub-atmospheric pressure or under vacuum, the air leakage into thesystem is lessened, and in consequence there is a saving in power consumed by the ejectors or other air pumps utilized in maintaining the Vacuum.

Further in accordance with my invention suction is shorter than in the case a plurality of condenser-s is utilized, one for each of the different vapors to be condensed, and all ar- 4ranged in series and connected with each other.

Further in accordance with my invention, less piping` and pipe connections arel necessary for the cooling water system.

My invention resides in a system and apparatus of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of some of the various forms my apparatus may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in

' which I shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of condenser structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of structure Fig. 3 is a -horizontal 'sectional View, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

CONDENSER For. MIXED varoas 1925. 'serial No. 41,732.

Fig. isa horizontal sectional view take on the 1ine4-4 of Fig. 1. I; Fig. 5v is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, partly 'in plan. Fig. 6 is a. vertical sectional View of a modified form of apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a further modification.

By way of example, and for purposes o illustration of my invention, the condensation of a mixture ofA vapors of water and oil will be described. v

In mixture 4with water vapor or steam,

Awhich is to be condensed under Vacuum corresponding, for example, with an /absolute pressure of two inches of mercury, at a tem-t perature of about 101 degrees F., may be the vapors of oil condensing, under the same vacuum, at about 240 degrees E.

Referrin to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, C is the shell o a single condenser unit,'having the supports 8, resting upon columns u, or equivalent. The shell C contains several banks of tubes t, through which is circulated the cooling medium, as water. These tubes terminate in tube sheets a and b at the top and bottom of the condenser, communicating at their upper ends withl chambers in the cooling water box A and at their lower ends with compartments in the cooling water' box B.

In the box A is a compartment c, to which is delivered the entering cooling water through the pipe D, which iiows downwardly through the first group of tubes ,t into the soA sis

chamber d in the lower water box B, through which it passes upwardly through the second group of tubes into the middle compartment e of the upper water box A, thence downwardly throughthe third group of tubes into the compartment f of the lower water box B, and thence upwardly through the fourth group of tubes into the compartment g in the upper box A, from which the cooling Water is discharged through the pipe or outlet E.

In the box A the compartments c, e and g are formed and divided from each other by the walls or partitions h and z'; and in theA lower box B the compartments d and f are ldivided. from each other` by the wall y'. Dividing the interior of the shell C vertically is the plate or baille F, preferably disposed between the second and third groups of tubes t. At suitable height the plate l*` is provided with the opening or passage la, and at its lower end is spaced from the, tube. sheet b to form a second opening' or passage m. Secured to the plate l", above the passage c, is a wipor-directing baille 0, and above it and spaced laterally therefrom may be provided a second baille plate p adjacent the air or suction port l, connected to ejectors, air pump or equivalent means for maintaining within the condenser a suitable sub-atmospheric pressure or vacuum, as, for example, of the order oi two inches mercury absolute, i. e., a so-called vacuum of 28 inches.

The condensate discharge port K is disposed adj accnt the bottonioi' the shell C, and communicates with the space formed by the baille plate or member G making a tight joint with the inner wall of the shell C. The upper edge of the baille G is disposed somewhat below the lower edge of the passage or port lc in the baille F; this diil'erence in levels is made of such magnitude as to eil'ect substantially that friction head necessary to move the condensate through the chamber at the left of the plate F through the passage m and into the chamber at the rightof the baille F.

The vapor mixture enters the shell C at'the vapor inlet V, and passes around and between the tubes t of the third and fourth groups, causing the condensation of the oil vapors,

the oil condensate collecting in the lower part of the shellC to the left of the baille F, Figs. 1 and 4, flowing through the passage m and rising in the compartment to the right of the baille F to a height corresponding to the upper edge ofthe baille structure G, overflowing it into the space between the baille G and the shell C and finding its way to the condem sate outlet K.

The oil vapors condense at a higher temperature than the steam, and consequently, the water vapors do not condense when they come into contact with the tubes t of the third and fourth groups, but pass through the opening 7c into the region above the oil condensate to the right of the baille F, Fig. 1, and come into contact with the cooler tubes t of the second and first groups, some of the vapors passing upwardly around the baille o toward the air suction or pump connection P..

The steam is here condensed, however, into water, which falls upon the oil condensate in the chamber to the right of the baille F, Fi g. 1. Some of the steam condensate falls directly into the baille chamber G, and that falling upon the oil condensate passes downwardly therethrough and collects upon the tube sheet Z) outside of the baille G. This water, however, is drawn oil through the pipe q, Figs Q and 5. controlled by the valve r, and delivered through the pipe a into the condensate outlet K, through which both the oil and water are drawn off and later readily separated.

The liquid oil is cooled, after condensation ofthe oil vapors, by the lower portions of the tubes of the ionrth and third groups, and also by the lower portions oi the tubes of thc second and ilrst groups to a temperature, particularly in the compartment to the right of the baille F, Fig. l, at least as low as, or preferably ten or lnorc. degrees lower than, the temperature at which the steam will condense under the vacuum conditions imposed. For example, the steam may condense at about 100 degrees F., and the oil condensate is cooled to such temperature or to suitably lower temperature, particularly when in the compartment to the right of the baille F. The upper portions of the tubes of the first and second groups with which the steam comes into contact are at suitably low temperature ior eilecting substantially completeI condensation, and the air passes around the baille y? to the air pump connection P and is removed to maintain the desired degree of vacuum. and in this passage the air is also suitably chilled or cooled to render it more readily comprcssible to atmospheric or other higher pressure.

B v a construction of the character above described. the single condenser unit, in a single shell, occupies less space and is of less weight than in the case two separate condenscrs are utilized. one tor condensing the one vapor, as oil, and the other for condensing the other vapor, as water. Furthermore. by the compact structure described, the air leakage is lessened, with consequent need for lower duty air pumps or ejcctors or the like.

Furthermore, the dropin pressure between the vapor inlet V and the air pump connection P is lessened, since the path between these points is shorter than in the case two separate condensers were utilized, connected in series with each other, with the vapor inlet to one of them, and the air pump connection to the other. In other words, the path is materially shortened, and in consequence the pressure drop along such path is decreased.

Furthermore, by an arrangement of the character described, less piping for the cooling Water system is necessary, since the cooling water supply is simply connected to the pipe D and the pipe E is connected to the discharge line. y

In Fig. 6 there is shown a generally similar arrangement. except that only two groupsfof cooling water tubes t are utilized, the upper cooling water box A being divided into two compartments only, and the lower box B forming a single compartment.

In Fig; 7 is shown a vertical 'sectional View of a horizontal type of condenser for the purposes herein described, and again comprising a single shell in which the different vapors of a mixture are successively condensed. In

this case the cooling water tubesextend hori` zontally, while as before the baille F is dis-` posed vertically. And in this case a second baille structure G may be omitted.

While it is preferred that the cooling water be passed through the condenser tubes t, it will-be understood by those skilled in the art that the arrangement isreversible, in that the vapors may be passed through the condenser tubes and the cooling medium suitably directed for the purposes described around and between the tubes.V

4In apparatus of the character and for the purposes herein described, it may be desirable to change the level oi the oil or other condensate occupying the bottom of the unit, to vary the ratio oi that portion oi the cooling surface contacting with vapor or vapors to that contacting only with the oil or other condensate. Such occasion sometimes arises when the proportion of one vapor to the other in the mixture changes or when the latent heat of one ofthe liquids is greater or smaller. For this purpose, there may be applied, as indicated in Fig. l, one or more valve members fw operable from the exterior of the shell C and adapted to open or close ports in the baille member G.

For brevity, the baille structures, as F and G, are referred to as vertically disposed, it being understood, however, that they need not extend accurately vertically, but may also be inclined, if suitable or desirable, so long as they have substantial extent in a vertical direction;

1What I claim is: I

l. Apparatus for condensing a vapor mixture comprising a single shell, tube structure therein conducting cooling medium, vertically disposed baille structure having a passage forcondensate at its lower end and a pas sage for vapors intermediate its upper and lower ends, a vapor inlet on one side of said baille structure, baille structure disposed between said tube structure and said4 shell and over whose upper end flows the condensate flowing through said first named passage, and an outlet through which condensate flowing over said second baille structure is discharged.

2. Apparatus for condensing a vapor mixture comprising a single shell, tubestructure therein conducting cooling medium, vertically disposed baille structure having a passage for condensate at its lower end and a passage for Va ors intermediate its 'upper and lower en s, a va or inlet on one side of said baille structure, aille structure over whose upper end Hows the condensate flowing through said rst named passage, an outlet through which is vdischarged said condensate flowing over said second baille structure, and a vacuum pump connection to the vapor space on the side of said first named baille structure opposite said vapor inlet.

3. Apparatus for condensing a vapor mixture comprising a single shell, tube structure therein conducting cooling medium, vertically disposed baille structure having apassage for'condensate at its lower end and a passage for vapors intermedia te its upper and lower ends, a vapor inlet on one side of said baille structure, a second baille structure on the opposite side of said iirst named baille structure and forming a vertically extending chamber receiving at its upper end Gouden sate ilowing through said first named passage, and a condensate outlet communicating with said vertically extending baille chamber.

4. Apparatus for condensing a vapor mixture comprising a single shell, tube structure therein 4conducting cooling medium, vertically disposed baille structure having a passage ior condensate at its lower end and a passage for vapors intermediate its upper and lower ends, a. vapor inlet on one side of said baille structure, a second baille structure on the opposite side of said iirst named'baiile structure and forming a vertically extending .chamber receiving at its upper end condensate flowing through said first named passage, a. condensate outlet communicating with said vertically extending baille chamber, and a separate condensate outlet from the region in thebottom of said shell exterior to said vertically extending baille chamber.

5. Apparatus for condensing a Vapor mixtu're. comprising a single vertically extending shell, vertical tube structure therein conducting cooling medium, vertically disposed baille structure disposed between different portions of the tube structure and having a passage for condensate at its lower end and a passage for vapors intermediate its upper and lower ends, a vapor inlet on one side of said baille structure adjacent the upper end of said shell, baille structure over whose upper end flows the condensate llowing through said iirst named passage, and an outlet adjacent the bottom of said shell through which is discharged condensate flowing over said second named baille structure.

6. Apparatus for condensing a vaporv mix ture comprising a single vertically extending shell, vertical tube structure -therein conducting cooling medium, vertically disposed baille structure disposed between different portions of the tube structure and having a passage for condensate at its lower end and a passage 'for vapors intermediate its upper and lower ends, a vapor inlet on one side of said baille structure adjacent the upper endof said shell, baiile structure over whose upper end flows the condensate owing through said first named passage, an outlet adjacent the bottom of said shell through which is discharged condensate flowing over said second named baille structure, and an air pump connection adjacent the top of said shell on the side of said first nalmed baille structure opposite to said vapor in et. l

7 Apparatus for condensing a mixture of oil and water vapors comprising a single shell, tube structure therein conducting cooling medium, baiie structure extending vertically in said shell and having a passage adjacent its lower end for liquid oil and a second passage between its upper and lower ends for steam` an inlet for the vapor mixture on one side of said baffle structure, a bafiie chamber on the opposite side of said bafile structure through which fiows liquid oil owing through said first named passage, and an oil and water outlet communicating with said baffle Chamber.

8. Apparatus for condensing a mixture ofoil and water vapors comprising a single shell, tube structure therein conducting cooling medium, baffle structure extendingr vertically in said shell and having a passage adjacent its lower end for liquid oil and a second passage between its 'upper and lower ends for steam, an inlet for the vapor mixture on one side of said baffle structure, a bafile chamber on the opposite side of said bafiic structure through which flows liquid oil flowing through said first named passage, an oil and water outlet communicating with said baffle chamber, and means for separately drawing oil' water from the bottom of said shell exterior to said bafiie chamber.

9. Apparatus for condensing a mixture of oil and water vapors comprising a single shell, tube structure therein conducting cooling medium. battle structure extending vertiiv in said shell and having a passage ad- !f its lower end for liquid oil and a second passage between its upper and lower ends for steam, an inlet for the vapor mixture on one side of said baffle structure, a bafiie chamber on the opposite side of said baiiie structure through which fiows liquid oil fiowing through said first named passage, an oil and water outlet communicating with said bafiie chamber, and a passage for water to said oil and water outlet from the bottom of said shell exterior to said baffle chamber.

l0. Apparatus for condensing a mixture of oil and water vapors comprising a single shell, tube structure therein conducting cooling medium, baiiie structure extending vertically in said shell and having a passage adjacent its lower end for liquid oil and a second passage between its upper and lower ends for steam, an inlet for the vapor mixture on one side of said bafile structure, a baiiie cham-k ber on the opposite side of said` bafile structure through which flows liquid oil flowing through said first named passage, an oil and water outlet communicating with said bafiie chamber, and a vacuum pump connection at the upper portion of said shell on the opposite side ot' said baffle structure from said vapor mixture inlet.

1l. Apparatus for condensing a vapor mixture comprising a single shell, means for contransfer relation with said conducting means disposed in said region of lower temperature.

GOTTDANK L. KOTHNY.

l CERTIFICATE orcoRREoTloN.

Patent No. 1, 786, 163. Granted December 23, 1930, to

GOTTDANK L. KOTHNY.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification of the above ,numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 57, claim 10, before the word "flowing" -insert the word after; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with-this correction therein that the same may conform tothetrecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of February, A. D. 1931.

M. J, Moore,

.(Seai) i Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

